Posted April 4, 2002; 05:55 p.m.

by tbartus

Caldersn was inaugurated as the first female governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in January 2001, following a three-year term as mayor of the capital city of San Juan. She began her career in the Puerto Rican government in the early 1970s, serving as executive aide to the labor secretary, special aide to the governor for economic development and labor, chief of staff for the governor, secretary of government and secretary of state.

Caldersn left the public sector in 1990 and served on several corporate and foundation boards. From 1990 to 1995, she was in charge of a community effort that involved the private and public sectors in the social and economic rehabilitation of one of San Juan's poorest areas.